Spokane Bon Jovi Promo Dropped

What was thought to be a clever way to promote an Oct. 6 Bon Jovi concert at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Washington didn’t go over so well with some of the locals.

Public Facilities District reps announced at a May 30 press conference the 12,500-capacity venue would temporarily be renamed Bon Jovi Veterans Arena to showcase the booking. Local military veterans and other supporters said the name change was disrespectful, according to the Spokesman-Review.

Other Facebook posters defended the promo idea and praised city officials for landing such a big-name act.

“What started out as a fun promotional idea to try and celebrate the fact that we got this great concert has been distracted by a vocal minority,” venue GM Matt Gibson told the paper. “For Spokane, this is a big, big deal.”

Gibson added the goal was also to let tour promoters know that Spokane takes hosting acts like Bon Jovi seriously.

However, the discord won out. Venue reps announced June 1 the renaming plan has been scrapped, the Spokesman-Review said.